I'm in a bit of a war with myself right now. I'm not sure if I am putting too much emphasis on the ///M or if it is really worth it to own one. In looking for my next car, I am wondering if I should go with a 08-2010 ///M3, 06-08 ///M6, the 2011 550i, 2011 640i, or to just get another 335i and fully mod it again (never got a chance to try the single turbo setup).

I decided to post this here instead of the ///M forum because you guys seem a bit more fair and not so biased towards one car over another. I am really interested in hearing your opinion(s). Thanks =)

I'm in a bit of a war with myself right now. I'm not sure if I am putting too much emphasis on the ///M or if it is really worth it to own one. In looking for my next car, I am wondering if I should go with a 08-2010 ///M3, 06-08 ///M6, the 2011 550i, 2011 640i, or to just get another 335i and fully mod it again (never got a chance to try the single turbo setup).

I decided to post this here instead of the ///M forum because you guys seem a bit more fair and not so biased towards one car over another. I am really interested in hearing your opinion(s). Thanks =)

are panning on modding the f out of an M car?

If so, I wouldn't bother. You are paying a premium for a package that is designed and tuned to work as a package. If you are going to f with it, why bother?

Unless you just want that monster of a V-10, it is a fantastic engine (the SMG trans sucks).

I'm in a bit of a war with myself right now. I'm not sure if I am putting too much emphasis on the ///M or if it is really worth it to own one. In looking for my next car, I am wondering if I should go with a 08-2010 ///M3, 06-08 ///M6, the 2011 550i, 2011 640i, or to just get another 335i and fully mod it again (never got a chance to try the single turbo setup).

I decided to post this here instead of the ///M forum because you guys seem a bit more fair and not so biased towards one car over another. I am really interested in hearing your opinion(s). Thanks =)

are panning on modding the f out of an M car?

If so, I wouldn't bother. You are paying a premium for a package that is designed and tuned to work as a package. If you are going to f with it, why bother?

Unless you just want that monster of a V-10, it is a fantastic engine (the SMG trans sucks).

The m3 would be completely stock, however the sc would be considered later down the road. In all actuality the choice will eventually come down to either another 335i or an m3.

M3, M5, M6, 550i etc are all very different cars. Not sure what to tell you. You should boil it down to what you are looking for, it should become obvious then.

Agreed! You need to decide what's important before you make your decision. An M car will cost more both in purchase and in maintenance, however you get a balanced package that's turn-key versus modifying to your taste..

///M cars are not over-rated, however some people that buy them might buy them for the wrong reasons.

What do you intend to use the car for? I had the F10 550i before and now a F06 650i. And I also have an E93 M3. Also had a 135i vert before.

Very different car for very different purpose. The M3 is a fun car. Very different then non-Ms. The Ms are mean to be driven HARD. They have a whole host of sport oriented equipment that you don't find on non-Ms. For instance, all the current M cars have real LSDs as opposed to fake e-diff ones. The tracks on M cars are different then non-Ms.... etc

However, I also have 2 daughters (7+9) and I find that I use the F06 much more for daily drives with them. Just way more comfortable, not only to sit in and drive casually, but also for the passengers as well.

So you really got to ask yourself, what is your intended use of the car?

However, to give a short answer to your direct question. No, M cars are NOT OVERRATED. In fact, if you were to mod the 335i to the M3 level, buying the M3 is actually cheaper........ I tried modding the F10 550i to match an M5, just not worth it!

I had s similar dilemma before buying this car. In the end I figured out what i needed / wanted and what i didn't and bought the non-M Z4. I don't regret it one bit. Sure I'd love more power, who wouldn't? In the end, my needs dictated the auto transmission and so the M wasn't an option. Think about your needs vs wants and go with what comes fits the most on both the lists. Then move on and don't second guess yourself.

As far as modding the 335i with the money you save, rule of thumb is to always go with the best car you can buy for the money. Essentially go with a $40k car as opposed to a $30k car + $10k in mods. Modding always brings along its own host of problems and at the end of the day, structurally, the car will never be the same.

I will have to agree with others in here. I actually just bought my 135 two weeks ago, coming from an E39 M5, and it is up for sale! The non LSD SUCKS, turbo engine is great (fun for the first few days), but I like to rev my cars and the N54's fall VERY short in the high end RPM department, and at the end of the day it does not have much of the true M feel to it, it gets close, but not close enough for me.

I think it is a tough question, not because of 135 / 335 etc but the other competitor cars that can be had for around the same price.

C6 z06, 987.2 Cayman S, 996 TT, 997 C2, elise and many other interesting cars are right there in the same price range.

Personally, if I got an M3 it would be to use as a fun street car / commuter. I would get something else if I was going for track toy or something to heavily modified or hammer on very aggressively in the mountains

When it comes to handling, the M3 is the best by a big margin. The recent standard BMW models have compromised steering and suspension IMO. You have to do an awful lot of suspension mods to get them to handle decently, and there will still be limitations in what can be done.

335i has beautiful modding capability. Truly amazing and if I were in your shoes I would be tempted so much with going with the 335i. However after the many reviews I've seen people say that the m3 is just "different". Sorry I can't give you real experience as I didn't go from 335>m3 but the m3 is worth it. If you are a performance oriented person trust me when I say you will get bored with the 550i and especially the 640i. Great cars and I would like to own one in the future as a daily but you will just get bored after awhile. The m6 IMO is a bad choice just due to costs and the fact that its now outdated.

I've owned both. The 335 is a great car, lots of fun and easy to mod, better mpg. However, the M3 is a totally different animal. V8, M suspension, LSD, different interior and exterior parts. M cars are rare in CT whereas 335s are everywhere. Depends on what u want obviously but you really can't go wrong with either car.

I'm in a bit of a war with myself right now. I'm not sure if I am putting too much emphasis on the ///M or if it is really worth it to own one. In looking for my next car, I am wondering if I should go with a 08-2010 ///M3, 06-08 ///M6, the 2011 550i, 2011 640i, or to just get another 335i and fully mod it again (never got a chance to try the single turbo setup).

I decided to post this here instead of the ///M forum because you guys seem a bit more fair and not so biased towards one car over another. I am really interested in hearing your opinion(s). Thanks =)

Do you really think the fact that the M3/M5 has always been seen as a benchmark in their respective categories as a coincidence? Do you think all of the auto journalists that rave about them are clueless?